A Short Visit to Quito

Dawny G

Thursday

Mar 1, 2018 at 3:07 PM

The hotel dining room is playing country music. This is the capital city of Ecuador. Go figure.

Because we arrived a day early, we have a a little time to explore Quito on our own. With roughly 2 million people, Quito is the second largest city in Ecuador (Guayaquil is the largest). Two miles wide and fifteen miles long, Quito is built on a lengthy plateau bordered by volcanoes.

We begin with Old Town Quito. Designed like old Spanish cities, important buildings like the presidential palace and cathedral surround the main square. The palace has stores in its ground floor level, all of them opening to the street. Old Quito Presidential Palace and square Presidential Palace

Old Town Quito, Cathedral ahead

Old Town Quito--- note the mountainous setting and the ubiquitous yellow cabs

We wander a little, take a few pictures, and then take a yellow cab to the cable-cars so we can ascend the volcano.

At the edge of the city, we're at the base of the Pichincha Volcano, an active volcano (I seem to have an attraction to active volcanoes, don't I?). Although it shows no signs of life right now, Pichincha provided a reminder of its potential in 2002 when an explosion of smoke and steam emerged from the peak (this happens when sub-surface waters are heated to an explosive level by the lava below).

We take the cable-car to the Teleferico--the lookout point at the top of Cruz Loma. I walk slowly, gulping for air at a 15,700 foot altitude. I usually see views like this from a plane, so I (once again) marvel at the Earth that stretches out before me, at clouds meeting the ground, at the tiny appearance of the city below. Reminders of how small we are, how tiny a speck in the grand scheme of things. And how grand that scheme.View at top top of Cruz Loma (VolcaĚn Pichincha)

View from the volcanoView from Cruz Loma (VolcaĚn Pichincha) When we descend, Linda and I try to find a yellow taxi because we were advised to go only in yellow taxis. (Remember in Old Quito they were everywhere.) There are very few cars in the parking lot, and one of them is a white SUV tour car. (I'm a little surprised that this incredible viewing area and natural wonder aren't much more crowded, but I know a lot of travelers enjoy cities more than mountains) The SUV tour car offers to take us back to town. We hesitate, waiting for that yellow cab.

Eventually we both realize this poor guy is just trying to make a living, there's no yellow taxi coming, and he's got to go down the mountain anyway. We accept his offer and are safely deposited at our hotel, where they are still playing country music in the dining room. # # #